In a new article for Phi Delta Kappan, David Mathews, president of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, argues that many Americans have lost a sense of ownership of their public schools. At the same time, educators have lost sight of democracy's role in education.

This dynamic weakens America's democracy. Mathews explains that engagement campaigns, accountability standards and good customer service are born of impulses to reconnect communities with the schools. However, they fail to build the kind of public that exercises responsible ownership.

Because people typically take responsibility for what they create, the solution to this apathetic situation means all members of the community need to be part of the co-production of education. This, in turn, will ensure that democracy prospers and schools benefit.

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